Amphibian Ark
Amphibian Ark is a nonprofit founded in 2007 that coordinates global ex-situ amphibian conservation, serving zoos, government agencies, and field practitioners across 20+ countries through Conservation Needs Assessments, husbandry training, grant funding, and National Programs in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Amphibian Ark does
Amphibian Ark is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that coordinates global ex-situ conservation programs for amphibian species at risk of extinction. It was jointly established by the IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (now the Conservation Planning Specialist Group, CPSG), the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG), and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The organization serves zoos, aquariums, government wildlife agencies, academic institutions, and field conservation practitioners, with active programs in more than 20 countries and rescue work spanning 34 range countries where amphibian species face extinction threats. To date, it has trained over 2,500 conservationists and assessed more than 3,500 amphibian species through its Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA) process.
The organization's core programmatic products include CNA workshops that prioritize species for ex-situ intervention, an Amphibian Husbandry Library serving as a knowledge base for captive care, the AArk Grant Program that funds rescue and conservation work, training resources and the Institutional Readiness Assessment Tool, and National Programs that build in-country conservation capacity (currently operating in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala). The first reintroduction trials, including work with the Valcheta frog, marked a transition from ex-situ husbandry toward direct conservation outcome delivery. A new Amphibian Rescue podcast launched in 2026 extends public engagement capacity.
Amphibian Ark operates as a donation-funded 501(c)(3)-style nonprofit with a tiered donor recognition program (Strategic, Principal, and Core Supporters) and distributes grants to partner organizations worldwide. By 2021, the AArk Grant Program had disbursed over $250,000 across 42 species rescue programs in 22 countries. The organization runs with a small staff of 1-10 employees and relies on institutional partnerships with IUCN, WAZA, and a globally distributed network of zoo, aquarium, and field conservation partners to deliver its programs.
Amphibian Ark firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Amphibian Ark
- Legal name
- Amphibian Ark
- Website
- https://amphibianark.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Amphibian Ark is a nonprofit founded in 2007 that coordinates global ex-situ amphibian conservation, serving zoos, government agencies, and field practitioners across 20+ countries through Conservation Needs Assessments, husbandry training, grant funding, and National Programs in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Amphibian Ark industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Conservation Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)
Keywords
Where Amphibian Ark is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Amphibian Ark business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Amphibian Ark is entirely funded by donations from individuals. Donors can make one-time or recurring monthly donations through the website via PayPal.
- Organizational Grants: Support from organizations including Strategic Supporters ($10,000+/year), Principal Supporters ($5,000-$9,999/year), Core Supporters ($1,000-$4,999/year), and other organizational donors.
- Donor Tiers: Structured donor recognition program including Strategic Supporters, Principal Supporters, Core Supporters, and general Supporters with varying contribution levels.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Amphibian Ark product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Amphibian Ark coordinates the global ex-situ response to the amphibian extinction crisis. The organization facilitates Conservation Needs Assessments to prioritize at-risk species, delivers technical training to institutions and conservationists, awards grants to qualifying rescue programs, and operates National Programs in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. It also maintains the Amphibian Husbandry Library and the Conservation Needs Assessment Database as resources for the conservation community.
Product overview
Amphibian Ark is a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 2007 that operates a portfolio of interconnected services focused on rescuing amphibian species from extinction. The organization provides Conservation Needs Assessments to prioritize species, an Amphibian Husbandry Library for best practices, Training Resources including instructional videos, an Institutional Readiness Assessment Tool for evaluating ex situ program readiness, grant funding through the AArk Grant Program, and National Programs in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. Additional offerings include the Amphibian Rescue Podcast and Quarterly Newsletter for dissemination of conservation stories and updates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA) Database A searchable database of Conservation Needs Assessments identifying amphibian species most in need of rescue and the actions that will give them the best chance for survival. Used by conservation organizations, zoological institutions, and government agencies to prioritize species for ex-situ intervention.
- Amphibian Husbandry Library A collection of husbandry guidelines, species management documents, and best practices for ex-situ amphibian conservation, covering nutrition, health, reproduction, biosecurity, and reintroduction. Managed in partnership with the Zoological Society of London and used by conservation practitioners globally.
- Training Resources Online training materials including videos on amphibian nutrition, reproduction, breeding, water quality, lighting, temperature, biosecurity, climate change impacts, and reintroduction techniques. Used by conservationists, institutions, and practitioners in range countries to build ex-situ conservation capacity.
- Institutional Readiness Assessment Tool A checklist tool that helps institutions determine whether they are ready to implement ex-situ conservation breeding programs, evaluating authorization, program stability, taxon knowledge, accommodation, husbandry, and biosecurity. Used by zoos and conservation institutions globally.
- AArk Grant Program Grant funding program supporting newly created ex-situ rescue projects, including program grants (up to $7,000 for the first year), workshop grants (up to $2,500), and emergency grants available year-round for qualifying amphibian conservation programs.
- National Programs Coordinated national-level amphibian rescue programs operating in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala, led by in-country National Coordinators who mobilize comprehensive responses through local institutions, government agencies, zoos, universities, and NGOs.
- Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA) Workshops Facilitated workshops with local experts to evaluate and prioritize amphibian species at risk, applying a standardized methodology developed jointly with IUCN Amphibian Red List Authority. Delivered globally to conservation organizations, government agencies, and institutions.
- Amphibian Rescue Podcast A monthly podcast featuring conversations with conservationists, researchers, and institutions about species rescue, conservation breeding, and reintroduction efforts for amphibians. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Companies that use Amphibian Ark
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Amphibian Ark technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Amphibian Ark partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG)coreCo-founding partner of Amphibian Ark in 2007. ASG provides the scientific foundation for global amphibian conservation. Their Amphibian Red List Authority (ARLA) maintains amphibian assessments on the IUCN Red List through the Global Amphibian Assessment Initiative.
- World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)coreCo-founding partner of Amphibian Ark in 2007. WAZA connects zoos and aquariums globally and supports the ex-situ conservation mission of AArk through member institutions.
- Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG)coreFormerly the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG). Co-founding partner that developed the Conservation Needs Assessment process and continues to support AArk's planning and implementation efforts.
- Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA)coreShares the vision of building a future where amphibians thrive in nature. Works to conserve amphibians in the wild and coordinate global partnerships, funding, communication, and education alongside AArk and ASG.
- Zoological Society of LondonminorZSL manages the Amphibian Husbandry Library as a resource for the conservation community.
- Association Mitsinjo (Madagascar)minorConservation organization in Madagascar that received AArk's first grant in 2009 to establish a captive breeding facility for Malagasy amphibians. Published updates on 11 Malagasy frog species from ex-situ programs in 2024.
- IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist GroupcoreOriginal co-founding partner (now CPSG) that initiated the Amphibian Ark concept at a joint workshop in 2006.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Amphibian Ark competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Amphibian Survival Alliance: Parallel global coordinating body focused on amphibian conservation. Shares the vision with AArk and ASG of building a future where amphibians thrive; coordinates partnerships, funding, communication, and education in the same taxonomic niche.
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG): Co-founding partner of AArk that drives the scientific foundation for global amphibian conservation. Manages the Global Amphibian Assessment and Red List, providing the in-situ counterpart to AArk's ex-situ mandate in the same species space.
Broad incumbents
- Wildlife Conservation Society: Major global conservation organization operating zoos (Bronx, Central Park, etc.) and field programs across 100+ countries. Board member Keith Lovett represents WCS on AArk's Board, indicating institutional overlap in amphibian and broader wildlife conservation.
- Mandai Nature: Singapore-based zoo and conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group. Board member Sonja Luz represents Mandai Nature on AArk's Board. Operates ex-situ amphibian conservation programs in Southeast Asia, a critical range region not heavily served by AArk's current footprint.
- Fauna & Flora International: Long-established species-focused conservation NGO operating across 40+ countries with similar grant-making and capacity-building models. Overlaps with AArk in amphibian and broader threatened-species programming.
- Zoological Society of London (ZSL): Manages the Amphibian Husbandry Library on AArk's behalf and runs conservation programs in range countries. Operates London and Whipsnade Zoos with significant ex-situ capacity comparable to AArk's network of partner institutions.
Regional players
- Detroit Zoo: U.S. zoo with the National Amphibian Conservation Center, providing mentorship to partner institutions like Centro de Conservación de Anfibios Amaru in Ecuador. Direct operational peer in ex-situ amphibian husbandry and breeding infrastructure.
Emerging players
- Re:wild: Species-focused conservation organization (formerly Global Wildlife Conservation) protecting wildlife and wild places. Engages on amphibian and other threatened taxa through partnerships and field programs with comparable ex-situ and in-situ methodologies.
- Rainforest Trust: Conservation NGO focused on purchasing and protecting threatened habitats, particularly rainforests critical for amphibian biodiversity. Complementary to AArk's species-rescue model—habitat protection reduces the need for ex-situ intervention.
- Association Mitsinjo: Madagascar-based conservation NGO that received AArk's first grant in 2009 to establish a captive breeding facility for Malagasy amphibians. Operates ex-situ programs for 11 Malagasy frog species—a direct operational peer for AArk's grant-funded model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Amphibian Ark social profiles
Digital presenceAmphibian Ark financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Amphibian Ark leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Amphibian Ark funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Amphibian Ark M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Amphibian Ark
What does Amphibian Ark do?
Amphibian Ark coordinates the global ex-situ response to the amphibian extinction crisis. The organization facilitates Conservation Needs Assessments to prioritize at-risk species, delivers technical training to institutions and conservationists, awards grants to qualifying rescue programs, and operates National Programs in Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. It also maintains the Amphibian Husbandry Library and the Conservation Needs Assessment Database as resources for the conservation community.
Is Amphibian Ark a public or private company?
Amphibian Ark is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Amphibian Ark founded?
Amphibian Ark was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Amphibian Ark based?
Amphibian Ark is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does Amphibian Ark make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are organizational Grants and donor Tiers.
Who are Amphibian Ark's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Amphibian Survival Alliance and IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG). Broad incumbents are Wildlife Conservation Society, Mandai Nature, Fauna & Flora International and Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Detroit Zoo is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Re:wild, Rainforest Trust and Association Mitsinjo.
Does Amphibian Ark have an API?
No public API is recorded for Amphibian Ark.
What industry is Amphibian Ark in?
Amphibian Ark's product category is Wildlife Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAGAIAC, Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release.